Housing assistance improves breast cancer screening uptake

Breast cancer screening uptake is higher for low-income women who receive government housing assistance compared to those who don’t, according to findings published November 9 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Researchers led by Jordan Baeker Bispo, PhD, from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta found that the odds of breast cancer screening were 30% higher for women receiving housing assistance in urban areas and doubled for women aged 45-54 years and those of Hispanic ethnicity.  “The findings… suggest that access to housing assistance facilitates utilization of breast cancer screening among some financially marginalized groups,” Bispo and colleagues wrote. “However, they also support prior conclusions that resolving housing affordability is not sufficient to eliminate socioeconomic disparities in cancer screening.” Previous studies have shown the impact of socioeconomic factors on breast cancer screening, as well as morbidity and mortality. Despite increased insurance coverage brought on by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), financial hurdles still prevent adults with low income from obtaining preventive services like cancer screening. The Bispo team compared the use of breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer screening among renters with low income who did and didn’t receive government housing assistance.  The researchers included data from the 2019 and 2021 National Health Interview Survey. This included...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Subspecialties Womens Imaging Breast Imaging Source Type: news